Hello everyone, I hope you all have had a good summer. I has been a good one here in Canada. Last weekend Makaiya and I went to a LPGA event. We saw Mika Miyazato. It was amazing that a 15 year old won the event! Lydia Ko! Congratulations! They are all such great golfers. Chrissy's younger sister was in Kelowna for most of the summer. So it was fun for Makaiya. Lots of fun times. We went to an area call the Othello tunnels. Very beautiful!

Day on Okanagan lake.

Hi all, We were invited to go boating with an old ski racing friends family yesterday. They live in a town called Vernon. At the North end of the lake. We drove from one end to another. 240 km in 8 hours. We did stop for swimming, tubing and snack breaks. It was a perfect day for it, Sunny and 34 degrees Celsius.

Makaiya's First concert

Makaiya has been in singing lessons. The school had a concert with all of the students. She was very nervous but did great! She sang a Milely Cyrus song. "I miss you"

Visit to Ostrich Ranch

Our family visited an Ostrich Ranch. Very interesting. It is an area around 2 and a half hours from Kelowna in an area called EdgeWood.

Trampoline fun

Hi! Last year we bought a trampoline. Around 30 000 yen. It has been great fun! And a good work out. Makaiya and her cousin Taya love it.

Spring hiking

A few weeks ago Makaiya and I went on a hike up at Big White ski resort. Our local ski area. We hiked up the ski lift and found many electronic devices on the way up. 4 Kei tai, 2 i pod shuffles, All worked but one. Nice!

Sun deck renewal

Hi All, I hope you are all well! We have been well here in Canada. I has been busy here with my summer work, coaching soccer, and working on our house. We have had some fun weekends going to some fun social events. Kelowna Ski club Reunion, wedding party, dinner party's, and so on. Renewing our sundeck has taken time too. Chrissy and I have done all the work on our own. We tore off all old wood and replaced it, Replaced the old posts with new bigger ones, installed a new ceiling with v- grove Douglas fir, and renewed the support beams! The weather has been very rainy so we have had to wait to surface the deck. Not much time for golf. I hope to play a little more soon. Enjoy the pictures!

Hello, Spring in Kelowna has still been cool and unsettled weather. Not a lot of sun yet. I have been quite busy doing my summer work. Installing kitchen and bathroom cabinets. I have had to do work on my house as usual. It is an older house so it does need continual updates. The back yard sun deck is top of the list this summer. Parts of the deck are rotting, very dangerous for any one to fall through! UHHHG! The following pictures are of the tear down. Have a good day. Oh, how is the dry land training going? Doug

Hanami at the Ito house in Canada

Hello all, The blossoms are finally starting to come out in Kelowna. Much later than Japan. We have been working on the yard at our house. Weeding and preparing the lawn. I have also been busy coaching Makaiya's soccer team. We have had 4 games so far. We lost our first game, but we won the next 3. Makaiya scored her first goal of the year yesterday. It is suppose to warm up from Monday in Kelowna. In the 20's! Bye for now. Doug

Hi Every one, Looking back on this season, I must say it was an exciting one. I am very proud of your efforts! Big improvements in many areas. Now That the ski season is pretty much over for most of you it is time for preparation for next season. Increase our level of fitness. If we are stronger and quicker we of course will be faster ski racers. NO DOUBT! Areas to focus on. Core strength ( stomach and back ) , Increased foot speed, And strength! All of these exercises can be done at home! I will follow up with more information in days to come. I am pretty much settled into my life here in Canada. Over my jet lag, re connected with family, started coaching Makaiya's soccer team,organized my summer work, and basic clean up around our house. My cousin and a friend from Vancouver came to visit us. His Name is Russ Nomura. His friend Dave also stayed. They are going on a golf holiday. For a gift they brought a lemon meringue pie. Very tasty. Makaiya also took part in the Kony 2012 event last week. We are proud of her! Bye for now. Doug

Last Weekend at Big White

Hello Everyone,

It was the last weekend at Big Ski Resort this past weekend. My home ski area.

Makaiaya had a soccer game to play on Saturday morning. I am coaching her team. We went up to the ski hill that afternoon. We had time to go to the tube park. We stayed there till it closed at 9 pm. We were all tired.

Skied the next day for around 4 hours. I was thrilled to ski with Makaiya. She had fun too. Very tired at the end of the day though.

Arrived at home!

Made it back to Kelowna safe and sound. Of course Chrissy and Makaiya were at the Airport to meet me. We were all very excited to see each other after 4 long months!

We went out for dinner. Sushi! We just love that Japanese food!

Easter is coming up so we all prepared some treats for the Easter egg hunt on Sunday!

I hope you are all doing well. I hope for those of you that have races this weekend have good luck. Work the ski!

Bye of for now.

Doug

Arrived safe in Vancouver

Hi all!

I arrived safe in Vancouver. Waiting for my flight to Kelowna.

Will Update again from Kelowna!

Bye for now.

Doug

Visiting Tokyo

Oh my Ge,

Life in Tokyo is definitely fast paced! I am happy to be coaching in Nagano during my time in Japan. I like the fresh mountain air!

I spent one night with my cousin in Saitama. Tuesday night! It was super stormy! I enjoyed my time with them. Machiko, Haruki and their sons Akira and Yuichi! They were the first ones to introduce nato to me.

I am staying at Ono San's house now. We are going out for Yaki niku tonight.

I leave tomorrow. I am excited to see my family , but sad to leave my many friends! I have a strong connection with you because of our united effort to improve in ski racing and enhance our lives. Please do your very best to improve your strength during the off season.

Bye for now.

Doug

Double take!

Yesterday I went into Ueda. I took 2 juniors to Ueda station and picked Manami up at 5 pm. I had a hour of free time so I went to Donki Hote to buy a new brush bag. I also saw some Scotch for sale. I bought it thinking Takasawa San and I could sip it now and then. So happens he had the same idea and bought the same one. We are definitely not short of Scotch now.

Hina Doll Gift

I was very fortunate to receive a gift from Ishizaki San. A pair of Hina Dolls. Actually Tachibina! They are very Beautiful! Thank you very much. Makaiya and Tajanna will enjoy them very much!

Doug's core work out

After video we all did a work out together. Stomach back and legs. In my plank position Shohei made it harder on me by sitting on my back. Good work out though. Thanks Shohei

Congratulations To Kasumi

We are all very proud of Kasumi Ito for her performance at the All Japan Jr. high school race. 6th in SL, tied for 3rd in GS. Great Job!

I am very proud of all Accel customers pressing for new personal bests! Keep it up! Great race results will follow!

Bye for now.

Doug

Hi From Doug

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has been a long time since my last update! Busy, Busy! I am grateful for that! So thank you all for your continual visits to train at Accel!

So far in the early races results have been solid. Great Job to all! From what I have seen in our training, all have been pushing hard for new personal bests! Perfect! That is all we can do is push for a new personal bests. No worry about any other racers. Focus on what we can do to improve in all areas of preparation.

I have been doing some basic drills mixed in with our normal gate training. From what I have seen, we definitely need to do more of those drills. Another weak point is strength and power in lacking. Ski racing is a power sport! If you can work hard in the summer to improve in that area you would have a big advantage over others!

Snow conditions are great up here. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Doug

First day at Tsubakuro

Hello Everyone!

It was our first day of free skiing at Tsubakuro! Only the short lift on the the flats is open. It was ok for doing some basic training. Tomorrow we are able to ski at Omatsu yama though. That will be better. Longer run and slightly steeper!! Tsubakuro and Omastsu yama have done a great job to prepare the man made snow.

I am looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Bye for now.

Doug

Arrival in Japan

Hi everybody,

I am happy to say I have arrived in Japan!!!!!!!! I am actually already in Sugadaira. It is cooling down. -2 Celsius! Hopefully the ski resorts will make snow tonight.

I look forward to seeing every one!

Bye for now!

Doug

Last Day in Canada with family

Hi !

It is always stressful this time of year. Leaving my family for 4 months. We spent the whole day with each other.

We went ice skating at a free city of Kelowna rink. We also made a ginger bread house and started to eat it. Chrissy and Makaiya just beat me in a game of soccer too.

See you soon.

Christmas decorating

Hi all!

The first of December! Chrissy, Makaiya , and I decorated our Christmas tree. Chrissy of course had to keep going with the Christmas spirit and dress the rest of the house up too. I think it looks great!

I am on my way to Japan soon. I am looking forward to seeing you all again! And watch you all ski well balanced and fast! It is going to be a great season! Remember to always come to the ski hill with your body warmed up before you start skiing. To have the best chance to ski your best and to prevent injury.

See you soon.

Doug

New DVD'S

Hi All,

This season new DVD's arrived today. They look good as usual.

Kelowna is getting a dump of snow. Around 6 cm in the city. Unusual for Kelowna. Great for the local ski hills.

Bye for now.

Doug